Secrets from the North Pole

In this intricately designed work, 1,500-year-old Head Elf Ivy Everjingle spills the tea about the unique magic that keeps Santa’s North Pole home and workshop humming. Gwinn carefully threads original exposition, well-known bits of folklore, and facts to create a playfully authoritative narrative about the place that powers Christmas around the globe. The elements come together on old-timey sepia-toned pages decorated with bordered text boxes and detailed spot illustrations. A humorous, informative vibe pulses through Danilova’s entertainingly meticulous artwork, which features cozy furnishings and clothing as well as the occasional labeled diagram. Among the nuggets revealed: Santa’s home sports solar panels, and the North Pole Post Office’s dome-shaped roof contains a “magical magnetic teleportation device.” Entertaining elf names and passages directly addressing the reader further add to this jam-packed seasonal accounting. Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 6–8. (Oct.)